Ice Hockey Penalties – talkIceHockey Ice Hockey Penalties The Basics Ice Hockey is in essence a vicious game. Any sport where rough tackles are not only legal but also expected, needs to be tightly regulated to stop things from getting out of hand – this may go some way to explaining why ice hockey has such a long and involved system for giving penalties. But pay attention, because understanding what’s legal and what isn’t, is vital not only to stopping your team from giving away chances but also to playing a truly tactical game. Penalties are recorded in terms of minutes, and it says a lot about the game that one of a player’s major statistics is their Penalties in Minutes figure. Who calls penalties? Penalties in Ice Hockey are, in most cases, awarded by the referee and can range from earning you a couple of minutes out of play right through to being kicked out of the league, depending on how serious the offence is. Linesmen can also call penalties. Although these are usually technical infractions they can also call major penalties if the referee misses them.

Serving Time Time out of play is served in the penalty box by the player who has been deemed to have committed the offence, and while this is in effect, no substitutes can be brought on to the ice. This applies to everyone on the team except the goalie. If the goalkeeper commits an action that the referee decides is worthy of a penalty, then one of his team mates serves the time in the penalty box for him. This doesn’t mean the goalie is immune to punishment though. If the infraction is serious enough, earning him a match or game misconduct, he can be sent off the ice. In this situation, the team can sub in a replacement goaltender for another player, or a player already on the ice can take the place of the goalie (and for his safety is allowed to use the goalie’s equipment). Timing is Key While the penalised player is off the ice, the offending team is essentially playing short handed, this is called a powerplay when the attacking team have the advantage or a powerkill when it is the defending team playing with an extra man. This imbalance of the teams changes the structure of play.

For example, it is much easier to score from a powerplay, and so there have to be tight regulations to prevent teams from deliberately taking penalties to change the flow of the game. One example of this is that when the team not in possession of the puck is penalised, play does not stop, and the penalty is not awarded until they regain possession or a goal is scored. This stops defending teams from tactically giving away penalties if they are in a tight spot, facing an attack from the other team and thus stopping them from scoring by halting play. There are times when the penalty may not last the fully allotted time. In the case of a minor penalty, if the short-handed team is scored against during a penalty, then the clock is re-set and the player in the penalty box is allowed to re-join the game. In the case of a double minor, a goal being scored will reset the clock to two minutes – provided there’s longer than that still to be served. Unfortunately if you’ve committed a major infraction then you’re off the ice for the full duration – no matter how many goals the other team scores.

Getting Back in the Game When a penalty being called, results in the team playing shorthanded, then once it has expired, the player is immediately allowed to return to the flow of the game. However, this is not the case with all types of penalties. Some may require play to have stopped before the player can re-join the game on the ice. One example of this is in the case of coincidental penalties. Coincidental penalties are where one or more players from each team have had penalties called against them at the same time, and so although both teams are playing with fewer players they are both at the same strength. In this case, both players remain on the bench until the first stoppage of play following the expiration of their penalties. Types of Penalties There are seven main types of penalties that can be awarded in ice hockey according to the International Ice Hockey Federation (although individual leagues may have additional punishments for certain offences), and understanding the difference between them is a vitally important part of the game. Penalties can be awarded for anything from purposely delaying the game, right through to instigating a serious fight and the punishments given are relative to the seriousness of the offence.

Be warned: penalties can stack up, meaning that a player may find themselves serving two consecutive penalties, and are recorded by the match officials. In the case of any penalty resulting in a player being taken off the ice for the rest of the match, the time recorded by the match officials is the amount of time before a substitute player can be brought on to the ice by the offending team. For example, when a major penalty is called, the player is sent off the ice for the rest of the game. A substitute player is brought on after five minutes taking the team back up to full strength. The time recorded on the game sheet is therefore five minutes. Although a goaltender may not physically serve the time awarded against him for minor penalties it is still recorded against him on the game sheet. Minor Penalty This is the least severe type of penalty and is called against some of the more minor infractions that you can make in the game, like cross checking or holding an opponent, and leads to the offending player being sent off the ice for two minutes.

In the case of a goalie having a minor penalty called against them, another player from the team, chosen by the coach or manager, serves the penalty for them Called against: Player on the ice Served by: offending player Duration: 2 minutes Time recorded: 2 minutes Notes: Penalty may expire on a goal by opposing team. A “double minor” may be called eg for drawing blood during an offence that would normally only warrant a minor penalty – in this case two minor penalties are served consecutively, lasting up to four minutes. Bench Minor Penalty This is a penalty called against either a player on the bench or the coach/manager for an offence such as interfering with the game or using profanity. The coach/manager designates a player on the ice to serve the penalty, leaving the offending team short-handed. Called against: Player on the bench/Coach/Manager Served by: Designated player on the ice Duration: 2 minutes Notes: Penalty may expire on a goal by opposing team. Major Penalty A major penalty is called against a player for offences more serious than those warranting a minor penalty.

The most common form of major penalties are for fighting, although a major penalty may be called for an offence that would normally only result in a minor if the player is openly and deliberately disobeying the rules or if their play results in a serious injury. Called against: Player on the ice, including goaltender Served by: Offending player Duration: Rest of game Time recorded: 5 mins Notes: Duration is served regardless of any goals scored by the opposing team. May often carry an automatic Game Misconduct penalty. Misconduct Penalty A misconduct penalty is one called against the player, meaning that the team is not forced to play short-handed as an immediate substitution is allowed. For the first offence the player (excluding goaltenders) is ordered off the ice for ten minutes and an immediate substitution is allowed. The player can re-join the game in the first stoppage after the ten minutes has expired. The second incidence of misconduct by any player (including the goaltender) in one game, warrants an immediate game misconduct penalty being called. Called against: Player on the ice, can include goaltender if second offence.

Served by: Offending player/designated player if goaltender’s first offence Duration: 10 mins (1st offence), rest of game (2nd offence) Time recorded: 10 mins Notes: If less than ten minutes of the game remains on the clock at the calling of a misconduct penalty, then the offending player is ordered to the dressing room as there is no legal way that he can re-join play. Game Misconduct Penalty A game misconduct penalty results in the offending player being ordered off the ice and to the dressing room for the remainder of the game. An official report must also be filed to the proper authorities. Game misconduct penalties are not only awarded for particular offences on the ice, but may also be automatically awarded following certain types of major penalties, after the second calling of a misconduct penalty against the player or after having several minor or double minor penalties called against the player.

Called against: Player on the ice, including goaltender Served by: Offending player Duration: Rest of game Time recorded: 20 minutes Notes: Although technically the team should not be short-handed because of a game misconduct penalty, often this is not the case as the kind of situations leading to game misconduct penalties being awarded, (most likely fighting), often lead to other members of the team being penalised also. Match Penalty A match penalty results in the player being immediately ordered off the ice and to the dressing room for the rest of the game. A substitution can only be made after five minutes and, like the game misconduct penalty, an official report must be filed after the game. This penalty can be called against a goaltender – leading to serious consequences for the offending team. Called against: Player on the ice, including goaltender Served by: Offending player Duration: Rest of game Time recorded: 25 mins Notes: The time recorded will always be noted in full regardless of how long is left on the clock when the penalty is called. Penalty Shot In some situations a penalty shot, a free shot on goal without any opposition from the other team other than the goalie, can be awarded.

Situations where a penalty shot is awarded can include when a player is one on one with the opposing team’s goalie and is then fouled from behind, handling of the puck by any defender other than the goalie or if a defending player throws their stick in the defending zone. If another penalty is incurred at the same time as a penalty shot, then the shot is awarded and the secondary penalty is assessed, regardless of whether or not the penalty shot results in a goal. The time taken for a penalty shot does not count towards the total game time. Delayed Penalties Because there must always be at least three players from each team on the ice at any one time, some players may find that they have to delay their penalty time. This can happen if two players are off the ice for having minor penalties called against them, and one of the remaining players then commits an offence that should earn him some time on the bench. This player’s penalty time will begin once one of the others’ time has expired. Alternatively the player can proceed straight to the penalty box and be replaced on the ice by a substitute.

If three or more players are in the penalty box serving penalties at the same time (due to a substitute being put in for the third player), then none of them can return to the ice until play has been stopped. Additional Discipline Once the game’s over you aren’t completely off the hook though. After the game, the authorities may choose to investigate certain incidents and could decide to impose additional suspensions to those given while in play. This isn’t limited to offences penalised by the referee either, so players may find offences they thought they had managed to sneak past the referee, being picked up later in the day. Offences The list of things that can get you penalised in ice hockey is a long one. Generally if something causes injury to another player, then it’s going to be punished. The majority of penalty types are called at the referee’s discretion although there are some that are inflexible. Offences can be against a player, technical, related to fighting or may fall into the category of unsportsmanlike conduct. Below is a sample of some of the offences that will result in a penalty being called.

Penalties Against a Player Although checking is a legal move in ice hockey, and rough tackles are par for the course, there are some offences that will earn you anything from a minor penalty right up to a match penalty, depending on just how badly your opponent is injured. Some of these offences are considered to be almost always deliberate and so carry with them an automatic misconduct penalty – these include checking from behind and spearing. Boarding Spearing Tripping In addition to the time served as dictated by the referee, bear in mind that a penalty shot may be awarded if the penalised action was taken to deliberately stop the opposing team from scoring and the other conditions are met. Butt-ending Butt-ending is generally called particularly harshly. This is because it is an offence that is relatively easy to conceal from the authorities and has a reputation of being used tactically by some players. Attempting to butt-end a player will earn you a double minor plus an automatic misconduct penalty, leading to a total of fourteen minutes being recorded against you. Actually managing to butt-end an opponent leads to either a major penalty plus an automatic game misconduct penalty or a match penalty. Kicking and Head-butting Neither of these offences can be passed off as accidental and so both will earn you an automatic match penalty.

Body Checking (Women’s Ice Hockey) In women’s ice hockey, a direct body-check will earn a minor penalty, increasing to a major penalty and automatic game misconduct if significant damage is done to the referee. Excessive Roughness of any kind during play results in a harsh punishment by the referee, with a match penalty being called and the situation reported to the proper authorities. Technical Penalties Penalties can also be called for aspects of the game not related to offences against an individual player. These can include: Delaying the Game Injured Player Refusing to Leave the Ice Equipment Malfunctions The types of penalties awarded for these offences depend on their effect on the game, the specific circumstances and whether or not they were intended to be deliberate. Fighting There is an entire sub-set of rules relating to fighting during a game. Minor penalties can be called in this situation but only in very rare occasions – usually for retaliating when struck by another player. If a player is deemed to have started the altercation then a match penalty is called. Joining in from elsewhere in the pitch earns a player a game misconduct penalty and resisting a linesman or refusing to stop when instructed by the referee, usually results in a match penalty.

In most cases, the mere act of being involved in a fight on the ice will result in a misconduct penalty being called. If a player leaves the penalty bench to join in a fight then the punishment is a double minor with automatic game misconduct penalty – to be served after the completion of the current penalty. Goalkeeper Specific Penalties Although goaltenders are immune to being sent off the ice for minor penalties, there are some penalties that apply to goalies only. Minor penalties are called if the goalkeeper ventures over the central red line, moves to the players’ bench during stoppage of play, leaves the crease during an altercation or drops the puck onto the goal netting. These penalties must be served by a player designated by the coach/manager. Other Offences There are other offences that can result in a penalty being called, besides the ones above. Arguing with the referee by either captain over the calling of a penalty can result in a misconduct penalty being called, likewise for any obstruction of the linesmen in performing their duties. Any form of physical or verbal abuse against an official by any member of the team, whether on or off the ice is not tolerated within the sport and can carry a very harsh penalty.

Penalties as Tactical Manoeuvres In some situations a team may decide that the result of conceding a penalty is worth the punishment they may have to take as a result. The reasons for this vary. It could be to prevent the other team from scoring, to sap their morale or to try and draw another player into a coincidental penalty. What does have to be considered is the relative benefits of this kind of action, when compared to the resultant consequences – most often having to play short-handed for a set duration. In the case of preventing an opponent from scoring, a player may decide to hook or hold his opponent, leading to a trade off in place of conceding a goal. The situation may be such that playing a powerkill would be better than the current situation – one example of this is in a two man breakaway. There are several safeguards in place to prevent this tactic from being overused, for example, the awarding of penalty shots. Understanding Minor Penalties in Ice Hockey | iSport.com Understanding Minor Penalties in Ice Hockey Understanding Minor Penalties in Ice Hockey Every team sport has arranged punishments for rule violators.

In ice hockey, violations are called “penalties.” Most ice hockey penalties result in the guilty player having to sit off the ice for a specific amount of time. During this time, that player’s team must play . Based on the severity of the infraction, the guilty player may have to sit for two minutes, four minutes, five minutes, ten minutes, or even the rest of the game. This guide will explain all of ice hockey’s two-minute penalties, which are known as minor penalties. Know that the following list is just a reference of the most common rules in high-level North American hockey. Youth and international ice hockey often have more strict rules to limit violence and injury. Use this as a reference, but also check out your league’s rulebook. How the Penalty Box Works When a player is assessed a two-minute minor, he must sit in the penalty box until one of two conditions is satisfied: Two minutes of game time has expired: In this case, the offending player is allowed to leave the penalty box and immediately rejoin the play. The opposing team scores against the penalized player’s team: In this case, the offending player rejoins his team’s bench and is allowed to enter the game as normal.

This condition is ignored if both teams have the same number of players on the ice, such as in four-on-four situations. While a player is in the penalty box serving a minor penalty, his team may not replace him and must play shorthanded. A team that earns multiple penalties in quick succession may lose up to two players (so that there are only three skaters on the ice). Every concurrent penalty a team takes after the second does not force them to lose a skater, but instead extends the overall time that the team must play shorthanded. Bench & Goalie Minors Any penalty given to a coach or team as a whole is considered to be a “bench minor.” For bench minors, the coaching staff may choose any player (not already in the penalty box) to serve the penalty. In the event that a minor penalty is given to a goalie, the coaching staff will similarly choose a team member to serve the two minutes. Goalies never have to serve minor penalties. For both bench and goalie minor penalties, the offending team will still be forced to play shorthanded for the duration of the penalty. Minor Penalties Nearly every penalty in ice hockey is a judgment call by the referees.

Nearly every minor penalty is in place to protect either the safety of the players, or the fairness of play. Refs often must use their discretion to determine if a play warrants a minor penalty. As a result, different refs will have slightly different views of what is or isn’t a penalty. Boarding: Assessed to any player who violently checks an opponent against the boards while that player is not in position to protect himself. Broken stick: Players with broken sticks must discard them if they stay on the ice. This minor is assessed to any player who continues to play with a broken stick. Charging: Assessed to any player who skates, jumps, or charges into another player. Generally, charging is called when a player targets an opponent at full speed and from a distance. Clipping: Assessed whenever any player makes contact with an opponent at, or below, knee level. Closing the hand on the puck: Assessed when any player closes his hand over the puck (and doesn’t immediately place it back on the ice). Cross-checking: Assessed to any player who has his hands spread approximately shoulder-width apart on his stick and strikes an opponent with the part of the stick’s shaft that is between the hands.

Delay of game: Assessed to a team that the ref deems to be intentionally stalling. The two most common instances that will earn this minor are excessively long line-changes and intentionally shooting the puck out of play. Elbowing: Assessed to any player who strikes an opponent with his elbow, regardless of intent. Goalkeeper interference: Assessed to any player who intentionally makes deliberate contact with the opposing goalkeeper. High-sticking: Assessed to any player who strikes an opponent above the shoulders with his stick. Holding: Assessed to any player who restricts an opponent’s movement by gripping with his hands, arms, or legs. Holding the stick: Assessed to any player who grabs and holds an opponent’s stick. Hooking: Assessed to any player who uses his stick to impede the movement of an opponent. Instigator: Assessed to any player deemed to be the instigator of an altercation. A very vague rule, it is most commonly given to players who punch unwilling opponents or attack an opponent in a retaliatory manner. Interference: Assessed to any player who impedes the motion of an opponent without the puck. Most often, this is given when someone body checks a player not in possession of the puck.

Kneeing: Assessed to any player who strikes an opponent with his knee. Most often called when a player extends his leg while skating to intentionally cause a knee-on-knee collision. Leaving the penalty box too early: Any player who leaves the penalty box before his penalty expires will be assessed an extra two minutes of penalty time. The exception is at the end of a period, when the player is allowed to join his team in the locker room. In this case, the player will return to the penalty box at the start of the following period. Leaving the crease: Assessed to any goalie who leaves his crease during an altercation. Participating in the play beyond the center red line: Assessed to any goalie who touches either the puck or an opponent while on the far side of the center red line from his own goal. Roughing: Assessed to any player who strikes an opponent with his hand, but does not engage in a full altercation. It is common for roughing penalties to be given to players on opposing teams who start to fight, but are interrupted. Slashing: Assessed to any player who intentionally swings his stick at an opponent’s hands, stick, or body.

Slashing is most often called when a player breaks his opponent’s stick with his own. Throwing the puck toward opponent’s goal: Assessed when any goalie throws the puck toward his opponent’s goal. Very rarely enforced. Throwing stick: Assessed to any player who intentionally throws his stick in the direction of the puck, but does not affect the play. More severe punishments exist if the stick does affect the play. Tripping: Assessed to any player who intentionally positions his stick or body in a way that causes an opponent to trip and fall. Unsportsmanlike conduct: A wordy and complex catch-all rule, this is assessed to any player who makes obscene gestures/comments, engages in hair-pulling, facemask-grabbing, biting, or anything generally considered unsportsmanlike. Necessary Evil Despite the violent nature of ice hockey, it should be played by gentlemen. You should never attempt to injure an opponent or resort to unsportsmanlike behavior. With that, minor penalties are part of hockey. If subtly hooking or holding an opponent can prevent a sure goal against, it should be considered. You will have saved a goal, and your reward will be a trip to the box.

Note that the list above is merely the most common set of rules concerning minor penalties. Your league may have several differences. Learn your league’s rules surrounding two-minute minors so you know exactly how to avoid spending unnecessary time in the penalty box. Share this Guide: NZSport | Find, Connect, Play > Sports > Lacrosse > Guide to Lacrosse Women's lacrosse General Lacrosse is a team sport of Native American origin that is played using a small solid rubber ball and a long-handled racquet called a crosse or lacrosse stick. The head of the lacrosse stick is strung with loose netting that is designed to hold the lacrosse ball. Offensively, the object of the game is to use the lacrosse stick to catch, carry, and pass the ball in an effort to score by ultimately hurling the ball into an opponent's goal. Defensively the object is to keep the opposing team from scoring and to dispossess them of the ball through the use of stick checking and body contact or positioning. There are three main versions of the sport; men's lacrosse, women's lacrosse and box lacrosse.

Field Lacrosse Field lacrosse, sometimes called the "fastest sport on two feet," is a full contact outdoor men's sport played with ten players on each team. Rules Field lacrosse involves two teams, each competing to shoot a lacrosse ball into the opposing team's goal. A lacrosse ball is made out of solid rubber, measuring 19.7–20cm in circumference and weighing 140–149g. Each team plays with ten players on the field: • a goalkeeper • three defenders in the defensive end • three midfielders free to roam the whole field • three attackers attempting to score goals in the offensive end. Players are required to wear some protective equipment, and must carry a lacrosse stick (or crosse) that meets specifications. Playing area A standard lacrosse field is 100m in length from each endline, and 55m in width from the sidelines. Field lacrosse goals are centred between each sideline, positioned 14m from each endline and 73m apart from one another. Positioning the goals well within the endlines allows play to occur behind them.

The goal is 1.8m wide by 1.8m tall, with nets attached in a pyramid shape. Surrounding each goal is a circular area known as the "crease," measuring 5.5m in diameter. A pair of lines, 18m from both the midfield line and each goal line, divides the field into three sections. From each team's point of view, the one nearest its own goal is its defensive area, then the midfield area, followed by the attack or offensive area. These trisecting lines are called "restraining lines." A right angle line is marked 9.1m from each sideline connecting each endline to the nearer restraining line, creating the "restraining box." If an official deems that a team is "stalling," that is not moving with offensive purpose while controlling the ball, the possessing team must keep the ball within the offensive restraining box to avoid a loss-of-possession penalty. Field markings dictate player positioning during a face-off. A face-off is how play is started at the beginning of each quarter and after each goal. During a face-off, there are six players (without considering goalkeepers) in each of the areas defined by the restraining lines.

Three midfielders from each team occupy the midfield area, while three attackmen and three of the opposing team's defensemen occupy each offensive area. These players must stay in these areas until possession is earned by a midfielder or the ball crosses either restraining line. Wing areas are marked on the field on the midfield line 9.1m from each sideline. This line indicates where the two nonface-off midfielders per team lineup during a face-off situation. These players may position themselves on either side of the midfield line. During a face-off, two players lay their sticks horizontally next to the ball, head of the stick inches from the ball and the butt-end pointing down the midfield line. Once the official blows the whistle to start play, the face-off midfielders scrap for the ball to earn possession and the other midfielders advance to play the ball. If possession is won by the face-off player, he may move the ball himself or pass to a teammate. The rules also require that substitution areas, a penalty box, coaches area, and team bench areas be designated on the field.

Equipment A field lacrosse player's equipment includes: • a lacrosse stick • a lacrosse helmet with facemask • lacrosse gloves • mouthguards • athletic supporter Each player carries a lacrosse stick measuring between 1.0–1.1m long (a "short crosse"), or 1.3–1.8m long (a "long crosse"). On each team up to four players at a time may use a long crosse: the three defensemen and one midfielder. The lacrosse stick, or crosse, is made up of the head and the shaft (or handle). The head is roughly triangular in shape and is loosely strung with mesh or leathers and nylon strings to form a "pocket" that allows the ball to be caught, carried and thrown. In field lacrosse, the pocket of the crosse is illegal if the top of the ball, when placed in the head of the stick, is below the bottom of the stick's sidewall. The head of a crosse may be 25cm in length. The maximum width of the head across the top is 10–25cm, for international competition, or 17–25cm.

Most modern sticks have a tubular metal shaft, usually made of aluminium, titanium or alloys while the head is made of hard plastic. Metal shafts must have a plastic or rubber cap at the end. The heads are strung with string, leather, and mesh. The strings in the pocket are called shooting, accuracy, or "v" strings. Players • Goalkeeper: A goalkeeper's responsibility is to prevent the opposition from scoring by directly defending the 1.8m wide by 1.8m tall goal. A goalkeeper needs to stop shots that are capable of reaching over 160 km/h, and is responsible for directing the team's defence. Goalkeepers have special privileges when they are in the crease, a circular area surrounding each goal with a radius of 2.7m. Offensive players may not play the ball or make contact with the goalkeeper while he is in the crease. Once a goalkeeper leaves the crease, he loses these privileges. A goalkeeper's equipment differs from other players'. Instead of shoulder pads and elbow pads, the goalkeeper wears a chest protector. He also wears special "goalie gloves" that have extra padding on the thumb to protect from shots.

The head of a goalkeeper's crosse may measure up to 38cm wide, significantly larger than field players'. • Defensemen: A defensemen is a player position whose responsibility is to assist the goalkeeper in preventing the opposing team from scoring. Each team fields three defensemen. These players generally remain on the defensive half of the field. A defensemen carries a long crosse which provides an advantage in reach for intercepting passes and checking. Tactics used by a defensemen include body positioning and checking. Checking means attempting to dispossess the opposition of the ball through body or stick contact. A check may include a "poke check", where a defensemen thrusts his crosse at the top hand or crosse of the opponent (similar to a billiards shot), or a "slap check", where a player applies a short, two-handed slap to the hand or crosse of the opponent. A "body check" is allowed as long as the ball is within a certain distance of the contact and is made to the torso of the opposing player. • Midfielders: Midfielders contribute offensively and defensively and may roam the entire playing area. Each team fields three midfielders at a time.

One midfielder per team may use a long crosse, and in this case is referred to as a "long-stick midfielder." Over time, the midfield position has developed into a position of specialties. During play, teams may substitute players in and out freely, a practice known as "on the fly" substitution. The rules state that substitution must occur within the designated exchange area in front of the players' bench. Teams frequently rotate the midfielder specialists off and on the field depending on the ball possession. Some teams have a designated face-off midfielder, referred to as a "fogo" midfielder (an acronym for "face-off and get-off"), who takes the majority of face-offs and is quickly substituted after the face-off. • Attackmen: Each team fields three attackmen at a time, and these players generally remain on the offensive half of the field. An attackman uses a short crosse and generally demonstrates good stick-handling with both hands. These are the players who score most of the goals. Duration and tie-breaking methods Duration of games depends upon the level of play. In international competition, college lacrosse, and Major League Lacrosse, the total playing time is sixty minutes, composed of four fifteen-minute quarters.

High school games typically consist of four twelve minute quarters, while youth leagues may have shorter games. Time generally continues to run in dead ball situations such as in between goals. However the clock is stopped for any interruption during the last three minutes of the fourth quarter, and at earlier stages referees may stop the clock to avoid a significant loss of playing time—for example when chasing a ball shot far away or during care of an injured player. The method of breaking a tie generally consists of an overtime period in which the first team to score a goal is awarded a sudden victory. International lacrosse plays two five-minute overtime periods, and then applies the sudden victory rule if the score is still tied. Ball movement and out of play Teams must advance the ball or be subjected to loss of possession. Once a team gains possession of the ball in their defensive area, they must move the ball over the midfield line within 20 seconds. If the goalkeeper has possession of the ball in the crease he must pass the ball or vacate the area within four seconds. Failure by the goalkeeper to leave the crease will result in the opposite team being given possession just outside the restraining box.

Once the ball crosses the midfield line, a team has 10 seconds to move the ball into the offensive area designated by the restraining box or forfeit possession to their opponents. The term used to define moving the ball from the defensive to offensive area is to "clear" the ball. Offensive players are responsible for "riding" opponents, in other words attempting to deny the opposition a free "clear" of the ball over the midfield line. If a ball travels outside of the playing area, play is restarted by possession being awarded to the opponents of the team which last touched the ball, unless the ball goes out of bounds due to a shot or a deflected shot. In that case, possession is awarded to the player that is closest to the ball when it leaves the playing area. Penalties For most fouls, the offending player is sent to the penalty box and his team has to play without him and with one less player for a short amount of time. Penalties are classified as either personal fouls or technical fouls. Personal fouls are of a more serious nature and are generally penalized with a 60 second player suspension.

Technical fouls are violations of the rules that are not as serious as personal fouls, and are penalized for 30 seconds or a loss of possession. Occasionally a longer penalty may be assessed for more severe infractions. Any player who is penalized for more than five personal fouls is ejected from the game. The penalized team is said to be playing man down defense while the other team is on the man up, or playing "extra man offense." During a typical game, each team will have three to five extra man offense opportunities. Personal fouls Personal fouls include slashing, tripping, illegal body checking, cross checking, unsportsmanlike conduct, unnecessary roughness, and equipment violations. While a stick-check (where a player makes contact with the opposition player's stick in order to knock the ball loose) is legal, a slashing violation is called when a player viciously makes contact with an opposing player or his stick. An illegal body check penalty is called for any contact where the ball is further than 4.6m from the contact, the check is from behind, above the shoulders or below the knees, or was avoidable after the player has released the ball.

Cross checking, where a player uses the shaft of his stick to push the opposition player off balance, is illegal in field lacrosse. Both unsportsmanlike conduct and unnecessary roughness are subject to the officiating crew's discretion, while equipment violations are governed strictly by regulations. Technical fouls Technical fouls include holding, interference, pushing, screening, "warding off", stalling, and off-sides. A screen, as employed in basketball strategy, is a blocking move by an offensive player, by standing beside or behind a defender, to free a teammate to shoot, or receive a pass. Warding off occurs when an offensive player uses his free hand to control the stick of an opposing player. Offside has a unique implementation in field lacrosse. Instituted with rule changes in 1921, it limits the number of players that are allowed on either side of the midfield line. Offside occurs when there are more than six players are on the offensive side of the midfield line (generally: three midfielders and three attackmen) or seven players on the defensive half of the midfield line (generally: three midfielders, three defensemen, and a goalkeeper).

Box lacrosse Box lacrosse, also known as indoor lacrosse and sometimes shortened to simply box. It is played between two teams of six players each, and is traditionally played on an ice hockey rink once the ice has been removed or covered. The playing area is called a box, in contrast to the open playing field of field lacrosse. Players, equipment and officials During play, a team consists of six players: • a goalkeeper • five "runners". A runner is any non-goalkeeper position player, including forwards, transition players, and defenders. Team rosters are typically a total of 16 to 24 players. The goalkeeper can be replaced by another runner (often when a penalty has been signalled by the referee or at the end of a quarter). A player's lacrosse stick must be between 1.0m 1.2m in length (youth levels may use shorter sticks). In most box lacrosse leagues, the use of a traditional wooden stick is allowed. Besides a lacrosse stick, each player must also wear a certain amount of protective equipment, including a lacrosse helmet with facemask, lacrosse gloves, arm and shoulder pads, and back/kidney pads (optional in some leagues).

During a typical game the number of officials can range from one to three, depending on the league and level of play. In most games there are at least two referees: a lead official and a trail official. Goaltender The goaltender's responsibility is to prevent the opposition from scoring goals by directly defending the net. Box lacrosse goaltenders equipment includes upper body gear (measuring no more than 13cm up and 7.6cm out off the shoulder—much larger than similar gear for field lacrosse or ice hockey goaltenders), large shin guards known as "irons", and ice hockey-style helmets. The 2.7m to 2.8m diameter area surrounding the net is called the "crease". Players except for the goaltender may not enter the crease while playing the ball. Punishments for crease infractions include a change of possession, resetting of the time-clock, or a possible two minute penalty depending on the infraction. Opposing players may not make contact with the goaltender while he is in the crease. Once he leaves the crease, however, he loses all goaltender privileges.

The skills required to be a successful field lacrosse goaltender and a successful box lacrosse goaltender are very different and do not lend well to one another.[30] Defenders A defender is a player position whose primary responsibility is to prevent the opposing team from scoring. Unlike in field lacrosse where some defensive players carry "long poles" (a lacrosse stick with a 1.8m shaft or handle), all box lacrosse defenders play with a maximum 1.2m long stick. Defensive tactics including cross checking (where a player uses the shaft of his stick to push the opposition player off balance), body checking (where a player makes contact with the opposition player in order to slow him down), and stick checking (where a player makes contact with the opposition player's stick in order to knock the ball loose). Transition A transition player is a player whose responsibility is primarily to play during defensive situations with an offensive mindset. The goal of this player is to create fastbreaks and scoring opportunities. Forwards A forward is a player position on the field whose responsibility is primarily offensive. Typically, a forward is dominant throwing with one hand or the other, and will primarily play on that side of the floor.

Some players, known as creasemen, do not focus on one side or the other. These players instead focus their offensive attention near the crease area in front of the goaltender. Playing area The playing area of box lacrosse is typically a ice hockey rink during the summer months. The playing surface is usually the concrete floor underneath the melted ice. Generally the playing area is 55m to 61m in length and 24m to 27m in width. Some leagues, and teams that have dedicated box lacrosse arenas, have outfitted their playing surface with artificial turf. Box lacrosse goals are dimensions are traditionally 1.2m wide 1.2m tall. In the National Lacrosse League and Major Series Lacrosse, the dimensions are slightly larger at 1.4m wide by 1.2m tall. These nets are significantly smaller than in field lacrosse nets which measure 1.8m wide 1.8m tall. Duration and tie-breaking methods A traditional game played consists of three periods of 20 minutes each (similar to ice hockey), with the teams changing ends each period. If the game is tied at the end of regulation play, overtime can be played.

Overtime may or may not be sudden victory, depending on the league. Ball in and out of play Each period, and after each goal scored, play is restarted with a face-off. If a ball travels over the boards and outside of the playing area, play is restarted by possession being awarded to the opposing team to that which last touched the ball. During play, teams may substitute players in and out freely. Sometimes this is referred to as "on the fly" substitution. Substitution must occur within the designated exchange area in front of the players bench in order to be legal. The sport utilizes a shot clock and the attacking team must take a shot on goal within 30 seconds of gaining possession of the ball. In additional, players must advance the ball from their own defensive end to the offensive half of the floor within 10 seconds. Penalties For most penalties, the offending player is sent to the penalty box and his team has to play without him and with one less player for a short amount of time. Most penalties last for two minutes unless a major penalty has been assessed. The team that has taken the penalty is said to be playing shorthanded while the other team is on the power play.

A two-minute minor penalty is often called for lesser infractions such as tripping, elbowing, roughing, too many players, illegal equipment, holding, or interference. Five-minute major penalties are called for especially violent instances of most minor infractions that result in intentional injury to an opponent, as well as for fighting. Players are released from the penalty box when either the penalty time expires, or the opposition scores a goal (or two goals for the instance of a major penalty). At the officials' discretion a ten-minute misconduct penalty may be assessed. These are served in full by the penalized player, but his team may immediately substitute another player on the playing area unless a minor or major penalty is assessed in conjunction with the misconduct (a "two-and-ten" or "five-and-ten"). In that case, the team designates another player to serve the minor or major; both players go to the penalty box, but only the designee may not be replaced, and he is released upon the expiration of the two or five minutes. In addition, game misconducts are assessed for deliberate intent to inflict severe injury on an opponent. A player who receives a game misconduct is ejected and may not return to play.

Receiving two major penalties in a game will result in a game misconduct. A penalty shot, where a player from the non-offending team is given an attempt to score a goal without opposition from any defending players except the goaltender, may be awarded under certain circumstances. By rule, teams must have at least three runners in play. If a team commits a third penalty resulting in a "three man down" situation a penalty shot is awarded in favour of having the offending player serve in the penalty box. A penalty shot may also be awarded, at the referee's discretion, if a defensive player causes a foul to prevent a goal (by throwing his stick, holding, tripping, or by deliberately displacing the goal, or a defensive player intentionally falls and covers a ball in his own team's crease). Fighting Similar to fighting in ice hockey, fighting is illegal in box lacrosse. However, what separates box lacrosse and ice hockey from other sports is that at the top levels of professional and junior lacrosse, a five-minute major penalty is given and the players are not ejected for participating in a fight. Fighting in youth or club level box lacrosse is typically penalized with expulsion and suspensions.

Women's lacrosse Women's lacrosse, sometimes shortened to wlax or lax, is a non-contact sport played with 12 players on each team. Rules Women’s lacrosse is played with a team of 12 players; one of the players is usually the goalkeeper. The ball used is typically yellow. The duration of the game is 60 minutes, two halves of 30 minutes each. Each team is allowed one 90-second team time-out per half. Time-outs may be taken after a goal has been scored. In 2008, a new rule was regulated if a team has possession in their attacking end, then they may call a time out. The rules of women's lacrosse differ significantly from men's lacrosse. Differences include limiting the amount of players allowed between the two restraining lines on the draw to five players per team. Stick modifications have led to offset heads, which allow the women's game to move faster and makes stick moves and tricks easier. In 2002, goggles became mandatory equipment in the United States (but not a requirement in international rules). In 2006, hard boundaries were adopted.

Players • three defenders (starting from the back, called "point", "cover point", and "third man") • one goalie. Seven players play attack at one time and seven defenders are present. There is a restraining line that keeps the other four players (plus the goalie) from going into the attack. If those players cross the line, they are considered offsides and a penalty is given. Equipment Women's lacrosse rules are specifically designed to allow less physical contact between players. As a result of the lack of contact, the only protective equipment required is eyewear and a mouthguard. Although these are the only protective equipment, there are still many injuries due to accidental checks to the head and the overall aggressiveness of the sport. The pockets of women's sticks are shallower than those of the men, making the ball harder to catch and more difficult to shoot at high speed. Playing area There are two different surroundings around the goal on both sides of the field. The eight meter arc and the 12 meter fan. When committing a major foul inside either of these areas, all players that were previously inside the surrounding must take the most direct route out.

The player who was fouled now moves to the nearest hash mark that is located around the edges of the arc or fan and either takes position to shoot or to pass (although, most often to shoot). When the whistle is blown, the player with the ball may move up and try for a goal. The most important rule in women's lacrosse is shooting space, this is a violation of the rules. It occurs when a defender moves in at a bad angle on the offender while shooting in the 8 meter arc. This is a dangerous play made by the defender. Duration and tie-breaking methods Women's games are played in two 30-minute halves. These 30 minutes are running time, except for the last two minutes, during which time stops when the whistle is blown (This can differ when playing high school or middle school games). While the whistle is blown, players are not allowed to move. In women's lacrosse, players are not allowed to touch the ball with their body or cover the ball with their stick in order to scoop it into their stick or protect the ball from picked up by an opponent. Ball in and out of play The "draw" is what starts the game and keeps the game going after a point.

The draw is when two girls, one from each team, stand in the centre circle with the backs of their sticks facing each other. Then the referee places the ball between the two sticks. Each player has to push their sticks together parallel to the ground to contain the ball. There are allowed four players from each team to stand along the circle surrounding the centre circle during the draw. The players’ sticks around the circle cannot break the line until the whistle is blown. The centres must lift and pull their sticks over their heads releasing the ball. When the referee blows the whistle during play everyone must stop exactly where they are. If the ball goes out of bounce on a shot then the player that is closest to the ball receives the possession. If the ball goes out of bounds not on a shot then the other team is awarded with the possession. For example, if a player threw a bad pass to her teammate and the ball went out of bounds then the other team would receive the ball. Protecting one's stick from being checked is a very important key in the game of women's lacrosse. In order to protect the stick from being checked, the player must cradle the ball.

If the player has a strong "cradle", it would make it much more difficult to recover the ball for the opposing team. "Cradling" is the back and forth movement and twisting of the head of the stick, which keeps the ball in the pocket with centripetal force. In women's lacrosse, players may only check if the check is directed away from the ball carrier's head. Also, players may only check using the side of their stick. If caught by one of the referees using the flat of the head, it will be called as a "held check" and the opposing team will get the ball. There are two types of fouls in woman's lacrosse, major and minor. When a minor foul is committed anywhere on the field, the player who fouled is set four meters to whichever side she was guarding the person she obstructed. If a major foul occurs outside of the 12 meter fan or eight meter arc, the fouler must stand four meters behind the player she fouled. Penalties Penalties for women's lacrosse are assessed with the following cards: • The green card, given to the team captain, is for a delay of game.

• The yellow card is for a first-time penalty and results in the player being removed from the field for three minutes. • The red card is the result either of two yellow cards or one unsportsmanlike behaviour ruling, and causes the player to be ejected from the game. If the red card is for unsportsmanlike behaviour, the player is also not permitted to play in the following game. Women's lacrosse includes both major and minor fouls. Major fouls • Check to the Head (Mandatory Card) • Slash(Mandatory Card) Understanding Major Penalties in Ice Hockey | iSport.com Understanding Major Penalties in Ice Hockey Understanding Major Penalties in Ice Hockey Every team sport, including ice hockey, has predetermined punishments for rule violations. In hockey, violations are called “penalties.” Most ice hockey penalties result in the guilty player having to sit off the ice for a specific amount of time. During this time, that player’s team must play shorthanded. Based on the severity of the infraction, the guilty player may have to sit for two minutes, four minutes, five minutes, ten minutes, or even the rest of the game. This guide explains all of ice hockey’s five-minute penalties, which are known as major penalties.

Majors are some of the most dangerous plays in hockey, and many result in automatic ejections or suspensions. Keep in mind that the following list refers to the most common rules in high-level North American hockey. Youth and international hockey leagues follow these rules for the most part, but often have stiffer punishments to limit violence and injuries. Use this guide as a reference, but also check out your league’s rulebook. How Major Penalties Work Minor penalties expire after two minutes of game time have elapsed, or when the team on the power play scores; whichever happens first. Major penalties, however, only expire after five minutes of game time have elapsed. This allows the team on the power play to score as many times as they can, and remain a man up. If a player receives a major and minor penalty at the same time, the major penalty is served first. Once it expires, the minor penalty is then served. The exception to this rule occurs during coincidental major penalties (that is, major penalties issued at the same time to separate players). In this case, the minor is served first. Major Penalties Major penalties are rare, and are only called for extremely reckless play or intent to injure.

For the most part, major penalties are more dangerous versions of minor penalties. Please refer to the iSport guide, Understanding Minor Penalties in Ice Hockey if you are unfamiliar with or want to learn more about minor penalties. The following is a comprehensive list of major penalties in ice hockey: Boarding: Assessed to any player who violently checks an opponent against the boards while that player is not in position to protect himself. Boarding is usually a minor. However, the penalty is upgraded to a major at the referee’s discretion for particularly violent occurrences. Butt-ending: Assessed to any player who intentionally strikes an opponent with the top point of the shaft of his stick. Charging: Assessed to any player who skates, jumps, or charges into another player. Charging is usually a minor. However, the penalty is upgraded to a major at the referee’s discretion for particularly violent occurrences. Checking from behind: Assessed to any player who charges, pushes, or checks an opponent from behind while the opponent is not in a position to defend himself. Clipping: Assessed whenever any player injures an opponent by making contact at, or below, knee level.

Cross-checking: Assessed to any player who has his hands spread approximately shoulder-width apart on his stick and strikes an opponent with the part of the stick’s shaft that is between the hands. Cross-checking is usually a minor. However, the penalty is upgraded to a major at the referee’s discretion for particularly violent occurrences. Elbowing: Assessed to any player who causes a face/head injury to an opponent by striking them with his elbow, regardless of intent. Fighting: Assessed to any player who repeatedly punches (or attempts to punch) an opponent. Fighting majors are often — but not always — given as coincidentals to players on opposing teams who willingly fight each other. This leaves neither team shorthanded. Head-butting: Assessed to any player who intentionally strikes an opponent with his head or helmet. Hooking: Assessed to any player who injures an opponent while using his stick to impede their movement. Checking to the head: Assessed to any player who checks an opponent and the primary point of contact is the opponent’s head. Interference: Assessed to any player who impedes the motion of an opponent without the puck. Interference is usually a minor.

However, the penalty is upgraded to a major at the referee’s discretion for particularly violent occurrences. Kneeing: Assessed to any player who strikes an opponent with his knee. Kneeing is usually a minor. However, the penalty is upgraded to a major at the referee’s discretion for particularly violent instances. Slashing: Assessed to any player who intentionally swings his stick at an opponent’s hands, stick, or body and causes injury. Spearing: This is assessed to any player who intentionally strikes an opponent with the point of his stick blade. Game Misconduct Game misconduct penalties are often given in conjunction with majors. When a player is called for a game misconduct penalty, he is ejected for the rest of the game. However, unlike most penalties, his team is not shorthanded during this time. When a player is whistled for a game misconduct, but also has to serve a minor or major penalty, he must be replaced in the penalty box by a teammate (chosen by the coach). Automatic game misconduct penalties are usually given to players who commit multiple majors in a single game. Many leagues enforce this ruling after the third major, but this can vary from league to league. Certain majors come with automatic game misconducts.

Such penalties include: Butt-ending, checking from behind, clipping, cross-checking, head-butting, hooking, checking to the head, kneeing, slashing, spearing, and excessive fighting. If a player is assessed a major for boarding, charging, or elbowing and they injure their opponent, the offending player will receive a game misconduct penalty. Avoiding Majors Major penalties are extremely dangerous, both from a physical standpoint and a strategic one. While it can be advantageous to commit a minor penalty to prevent a sure goal, committing a major penalty to do so will only leave your team on an extended penalty kill. Major penalties have no place in a gentleman’s game. Avoid getting called for them at all costs. Share this Guide:

Question: In which sport are penalties awarded to the opposing team for clipping, holding and hooking?
Answer: Ice Hockey